North Yorkshire Moors Railway plants more than 300 trees as part of Treemendous intiative

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) has partnered up with The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) and Treemendous to fully fund a trial tree planting initiative.

More than 300 trees have been planted in a landfill site to help reach its final transformation into a nature reserve with public access.

The tree planting is part of the Harewood Whin reclamation project to increase the benefits to both people and the environment. The native trees (Silver Birch, Rowan, Hornbeam, Oak, Field Maple, and Beech) will also improve the surrounding biodiversity.

The trial is part of a large planting initiative in which NYMR, who funded the project, has assisted in securing and establishing a crucial 30-year commitment from a local landowner which allows them to maintain the site as woodland.

This partnership will aid future tree planting proposals including the possibility of a scheme which could include over 5,000 trees planted over the coming winter.

The public area borders a footpath is part of a “wildlife corridor” and offers a haven for wildlife. The area is also a key location for its diverse range of flora and fauna native to the UK.

Kerry Fieldhouse, Lineside Conservation Officer at the NYMR commented: “We are really pleased to be able to support TCV with this tree planting initiative which establishes woodland copses that will help connect habitats benefiting both the local community and wildlife.

“We are working hard to conserve biodiversity along our lineside and initiatives like this help us to extend our reach and support a local project like this.”

John Preston, Business Development Manager at The Conservation Volunteers added: “We're delighted to be working with the North Yorkshire Moors Railway; woodlands are integral to the settings of heritage railways, and this investment in tree planting in the catchment area of the NYMR recognises that all businesses and everyone has a responsibility for the natural world”.